Tricks and Treats

Dinosaurs, Fairies and Dogs, oh my!! This year was a fun one for trick-or-treating, as ALL the children were able to participate! Broderick started the night in the stroller...but that didn't last too long, once he realized "something was rotten in Denmark" if you know what I mean. Kavan wasn't afraid of his own costume this year, so that was also a bonus, haha. We once again give our heartfelt thanks to Grandma Mona, who craftily constructed all of these lovely costumes. Maddingly was actually the puppy way back when I was pregnant with Kavan, so that one's been around the block a few times and worn by all three of the kids now, and it STILL looks great! Brody had a fun time barking at us all for the entirety of the evening, and Kavan likewise with the roaring. :O) Here are a few pictures of the night spent out, walking up and down our very own street, one of the best trick-or-treating spots in town! We had over 100 people stop again this year, we were out of candy by the time we got back to our house. We actually dipped into the kids' loot for a few late-comers. Not that we were said to see the extra sugar leave the house...

Sweetest Dinosaur in Town

Maddie and Kiley, together again.

No mom, we CAN'T look at the camera...we're too busy dreaming of all the goodies we're about to snag!

Here we have Brody in starting position...

Shoes on, Bag in tow...looks like he's ready to take off...

Yup. "Uh, hey guys, wait for me!!!!"

I think he's got it down now. He even remembered to say "Taynt-choo" :O)

"Huh? What? No, this isn't for me! I was just seeing if YOU would like one."

And this is the result of too much sugar for a mighty little pup. They get a little loopy. Or...floppy. "I'm feelin' pretty good mom!!" - Yeah, you're lookin' pretty good there little man. :O)

We ended the evening with a sugar crash of course...but we'll try to erase those memories in favor of the sweet ones that came before. Next year we'll hopefully have another Panda Bear to add to the mix, God does great things, doesn't He? Hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween as well. We're almost caught up here on the blog. I have two more "back-posts" I would like to tackle before moving forward, one of the family fall activities and another about Broderick's first "formal" hair cut - which has been about 2 years in the making. I don't think he'll need another one for probably about 2 MORE years. That child has no hair! :O) God's blessings on your Thanksgiving holiday! May your travels be safe, your families be near and your tummies be full!

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Cassandra

To Train a Child...

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6

This August brought with it the joy of the all-anticipated "first day of school" for not one, but TWO of our children! Kavanaugh embarked upon his educational career through St. Paul Preschool, and Maddingly continued her journey by adding the new experience of ALL DAY school, here known as Kindergarten. :O) Both were extremely excited and completely over the moon about starting the new school year. New book bags in tow, freshly purchased supplies and snacks packed away therein, they were off to conquer new learning horizons and make new friends to start tucking away school memories with. They both "insisted" on walking to school "on their own" for that first test of the waters. Mommy happily abliged....from the comfort of her van...Hey, SOMEONE had to cart all of those kleenex boxes to the classrom!! The first day was a smashing success, and here are some photographs that captured the day. (I just wanted to add that Kavan's afternoon preschool begins at 12:30 - so the 4 hours that elapsed from the time that Maddingly left for school and the time for him to leave were, well, let's just say we had to cover topics like patience, clock reading, and deep breathing for mommies. He was just a TAD excited to get going...)

Can You Tell??

I told you...he instisted on walking all by himself. What a big guy!!

Finally! His Very OWN Locker!!
This is about the time that he pretty much forgot about me...It's still his favorite thing to play at preschool.

Daddy was still there in the morning to see Maddie off.

Oh yeah, got the big girl locker this year. ;O)

Maddie loved her new Kindergarten room, and her new teacher!

We also attended the opening worship at school that morning, where all the Kindergarteners stood up front and introduced themselves and their families. Maddingly did very well, we all know how shy she is and all... It has been so fun to see how much they have both changed since starting school this year. Maddingly seems to have grown up over night and Kavan's language skills have exploded! Time certainly has run away with us all, and we keep reminding ourselves to cherish these moments they are in now, for they will be gone far too soon. We feel very blessed that we have such a wonderful Lutheran school, quite literally next to our back yard. We pray that God continues to guide and bless the teachers and staff at St. Paul Lutheran, and that He continues to guide US here at home, as we take up the call of training our children in the way they should go. God's blessings on your week, and we hope that your week-END was enjoyable as well!

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The Splitty Family

A Time For Everything

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Summer has indeed come and gone, but there were many memories made and good times had by the Splitty family. It is the family tradition, or so it seems, to spend many of our heat and humidity-filled days at the village swimming pool. Maddingly had her first year of swim lessons this summer, and retaines the title of "family fish". Here she is at her crowning glory moment of the summer, learning to dive....by herself....into the deep end....off the board.

And here's Kavanaugh, preferring to keep it low key with the floaties. He's NOT my risk taker, and this momma is NOT complaining. Considering the fact that at the beginning of the summer he didn't even want to go into the "big pool", even with his mom holding him, he's certainly come a long way. By the end of the season he was jumping in all by himself....well, floaties in use of course!

And the littlest man of the family?? Well, let's just say he gave his mother multiple cardiac arrest episodes this summer. He has absolutely no fear of the water, and was always trying to jump into the big pool when I wasn't looking. He even tried his hand at the diving board.....and he loved it. Of course, momma was in the water to catch him, but something tells me that wouldn't have mattered much to him either way. I do wish I had some photos of those moments, but I was either in the pool, treading water in the deep end waiting for him to jump, or I was chasing him away from the big pool's edge. The Lord has certainly blessed that one with courage, let's just hope he's also been provided the gift of Wisdom, shall we? So, more often than not, this was the scene at the baby pool gate when I went to tend Kavanaugh at the "big kids pool", as he referred to it.

Uh, mom? I think you forgot someone???

But don't feel too bad for him, he had much of mommy's time in the big pool as well. He loved floating along with his older siblings and friends. I think he's going to be giving big sis a run for her title... Only time will tell.

I am continually in awe of our Heavenly Father who has blessed us with such amazing and different children. It is so neat to see each of their personalities develop over the seasons. Learning together as a family what each child prefers to do on their own, and which things they do better with a helping hand and a loving smile. Discovering through experience who likes to jump into things head first, and who likes to take it all in and proceed at their own pace. Families are such a blessing and treasure, I hope yours is sharing the changing of seasons together with all the activities under Heaven!

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Cassandra

P.S. - Up next: First Day of School!!

God Is So Good

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Welcome back!! It seems that quite a few days have passed since the last time I was able to post here at the family blog, but alas here we are, at it again. August and September have long since flown, and now October has faded into the year past as well. So many blessings have filled our lives through those many weeks, we hope to share them all with you in time. This week will be a journey through those last lazy days of summer, the much-anticipated first days of school, the Halloween of THREE trick-or-treaters, the family moments enjoyed together throughout the changing of seasons, and the birthdays celebrated with family not seen in far too long!

God truly is So Good. We have been so very blessed to know and love each of you, and to count you among our family and friends. We hope that all is well with you and yours, and that your families are enjoying this season of color and crispness. Admittedly, Autumn is my favorite time of year - the cooling weather and the warm scents that fill my home, cozy quilts and hot cocoa quietly making their ways back into the daily routine, days shortening and fluffy coats for bundling, all a part of the year coming to a sleepy close. Every night we give thanks to a God who has seen fit to grant us a warm home, healthy children, generous loved ones, daily bread and a growing family. We pray God holds you in His Hands, and keeps you close. Until next time -

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Cassandra